How to use English modal verb COULD

Do you know these 6 ways to use COULD?

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This is Audio Word Study #113 from Jane Lawson at DailyStep.com

 

How to use the modal verb COULD

 

Note: A modal verb is a word that gives special meaning to a verb. Examples of other modal verbs are  MUST, MAY AND MIGHT. 

Meaning 1

COULD is the past of CAN. We use it to talk about what someone was able to do or was allowed to do.

Examples: 
1. When I was at school, I could swim much better than I can swim now.

2. The exam was so difficult that I couldn’t finish it. (note: this means ‘I was not able to finish it.’)

3. His mother said he could play football after he had finished his homework. (note: this means that he was allowed to play football.)

Meaning 2:

 COULD is used as a more polite form of CAN when asking for permission.

Examples: 
1. Excuse me, could I just interrupt for a moment, please? (note: this is much more polite than ‘Can I interrupt, please’.)

2. Hello, could I speak to Fiona Price, please? (note: this is what we say on the telephone.)

Meaning 3:

COULD is used as a more polite form of CAN when making a request.

Examples: 
1. Could you please lend me your car for the weekend?

2. Do you think you could possibly lend me fifty pounds until Monday? (note: this is a more indirect question, and is therefore more polite.)

3. Could you close the window, please?

Meaning 4:

We use COULD to express possibility, especially slight or uncertain possibility.

Examples: 
1. She could leave at any time. (note: this means ‘It is possible that she will leave at any time’.)

2. This new drug could be an important step in the fight against heart disease.

3. Be careful with that boiling water – you could scald yourself!

Meaning 5:

We sometimes use COULD for making a suggestion 

Examples: 
1. We could go for a picnic tomorrow, if you like.

2. You could always ask Tom to help you – I don’t think he would mind. (note: this means ‘one option is to ask Tom to help you’.)

Meaning 6:

We use COULD to say, especially angrily, what we think someone else should do. In this case, COULD is emphasised strongly.

Examples: 
1. Well, you could try to be a little bit more polite to my mother!

2. I invited you ages ago – you could have let me know sooner that you weren’t coming!

Now, try to write your own sentences using COULD, making sure that they are true to your own life as this will help you to remember them better!

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